“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32 NIV).
These are among the Apostle Paul’s final words to the church elders of Ephesus. This is an emotional meeting for them because he says, “I know that none of you…will ever see me again” (v. 25). Paul believed his mission was taking him into unknown waters; usually, Paul has a plan, but in his speech to the elders (Acts 20:17-38), he says, “I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there” (v. 22).
As I finish my career as a pastor and transition into a volunteer here at Bridgeway after 25 years, I would echo the apostle’s statement in verse 32. First, I commit you to God. Bridgeway is not MY church and never was; it is God’s church, his flock. In the centuries of history of the church, God has seen many pastors come and go. I am just one of them, and more will come after me. Bridgeway, you don’t NEED me. You need God, and you need to continue to look to him as you still honor your church leaders, but it is ALWAYS God’s church.
Second, the phrase “the word of his grace” I love. As I have matured and grown as a pastor and Christ-follower, I have learned how essential God’s grace is in our lives. I can accomplish nothing without God’s grace – his favor and gifts that I do not deserve, but he loves to give to me anyway. Without that grace, my spiritual work would have no meaning, no lasting value. Yet learning to live on God’s grace is an adventure every day because his grace never runs out.
Finally, Paul describes that by learning to live within that daily flowing grace of God, we experience the outcome “which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” It is with God and by his grace where we are built up, and our spiritual lives are strengthened. Our hope for a wonderful future comes from God. If God and his grace get me through today…and the next, and the next, then what will eternity with him look like?! More than we can ask or imagine.
Bridgeway, may God and his Word of grace lead you into a future of hope. I can hardly wait to see what he does IN you and THROUGH you!
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